Essay On Electronic Health Record

 

The emerging technological changes in the global environment can be identified to have a major impact on society as well as health care practices. Considering such changes, it can be reflected that in the healthcare sector, health professionals are focusing on adopting innovative and advanced approaches that can lead to improved standards of care in the industry (Glauner et al., 2021). The industry researchers have effectively adopted the technological advancements within the industry to define the electronic health record system (EHR) that can ensure maintaining digital records of the patients.

 

The aim of technological advancement has been to ensure improved care standards in the healthcare industry (Evans, 2016). This discussion will focus on evaluating the impact of such technology and digital advancement on the healthcare system. Also, the analysis will focus on the impact of EHR on patient-professional relations in the sector and identify the key issues involved in the adoption of such technologically advanced approaches in the care sector.

 

The industry researchers reflect that the use of EHR helps in order to enhance patient care outcomes and quality by eliminating the medical error involved in the traditional care delivery process. It can be reflected that the use of digitalized health tools helps to ensure that the patients can be provided with health education and training even being at remote locations and further timely recommendations are being provided to them that help the patient to develop a better understanding of their health condition and the approach to self-care can be improved. Lancaster et al. (2018) has conducted 14 studies which has helped the researcher in justifying the approach that the presence of EHRs in the promoting self-management among the patients.

 

The use of EHRs in the healthcare sector allows the professionals to have the digital records of the patient’s medical records, and further helps the professionals to guide the patients about the care practices to be adopted. The industry researchers reflect that over the year the medical knowledge and implications has improved which has contributed to improved remote monitoring and control of patients. As physicians are able to have control over the patient’s digitally and such helps them in assisting them in a better and improved manner. As per an analysis conducted by the researcher reflects that 75% of the physicians responds that there is an increasing need for EHRs in the healthcare sector to ensure improvement of healthcare practices (Manca, 2015). Further, the researchers reflect that the adoption of EHRs has helped in improving patient safety and adherence to treatment in society. As traditionally the patient lacked information with respect to their health status or medical condition which affects their interest in the care process. However, EHR eliminates such issues in the traditional care process and enhances self-care in the healthcare sector (Bailey et al., 2019).

 

The adoption of EHR has contributed to improved effectiveness of the healthcare sector and has helped in overcoming the traditional barriers being faced in the sector. The researchers have reflected that such digitalization in healthcare helps to eliminate the process errors in the traditional care process. Further, it can be reflected that under the traditional approach, the presence of physical reports and data was the key issue in delivering quality care. As the patients as well as the professionals used to face major issues and challenges in managing and retracting such data when required. The researchers reflect that in the industry the emergence of EHR and digital advancements has resulted in introduction of innovative frameworks and helped the professionals in enhancing their ability towards data management and improved care (Campanella et al., 2015).

 

The traditional approaches to care management systems have been based on physical systems or the ability of professionals to develop and maintain health records, hence it had high chances of errors in the care delivery process. The introduction of EHRs in the healthcare sector has contributed to eliminating the errors within the process and further provided accurate and up-to-date information to both the care professional as well as to the patient in the sector. The researcher has focused on the data from US healthcare sector which reflects that in the healthcare sector, EHRs have contributed to improved reliability of the care process and interactions in the care delivery process (McGreevey et al., 2020).

 

Based on the identified impact and importance of EHRs in the care sector it can be reflected that such digitalized approach to care has a positive impact on the patient-physician relationship. The industry researchers reflect that there are several key factors that positively influence such relationships. Such include the increased transparency in the process, as EHRs ensure the digital recording of the medical reports and are readily available to both the physical as well as the patient. An evaluation of scientific database including EMcare, EMBASE as well as MEDLINE reflects that the EHRs helps in improved access for both the patients as well as the professionals resulting in improved care outcomes (Mullins et al., 2020).

 

Further EHRs ensure effective monitoring of the care process and help physicians in making required care decisions. Such care decisions help in enhancing care outcomes and ensuring the achievement of the goals of patient-centered care. Also, EHRs help in enhancing patient education and empowerment within the care process, by providing them with the required information and constant support as and when required. Such processes not only include patient interaction with the health portal but also ensures effective interaction with the physician, resulting in strengthening their relations leading to better and improved care outcomes. Also, the researchers reflect that such digitalization in healthcare helps to improve or enhance the care process and organizational effectiveness which leads to patient satisfaction and improved support in delivering care (Toll et al., 2019).

 

Apart from the benefits being offered by the EHR within the healthcare sector, it can be identified that a key factor that affects the adoption of such digitally advanced practices in the care process is the factor of patient safety and information security. The industry researchers define that EHRs possess a major security and data protection threat for the patients, as the lack of proper auditing of data sources as well as poor communication between the health organization and the service provider affects the effectiveness of the EHRs being utilized in the care process, and further affects the data protection and security. As an industry example from UAE reflects that in nursing care, the presence of such digital approaches results in limited focus on process audit and further have major impact over data protection and privacy (Bani Issa et al., 2020).

 

However, in the global healthcare sector, several key guidelines and regulations have been established guiding and controlling data privacy and patient safety despite such, the researchers reflect that patient still lacks confidence in EHRs with respect to data protection and safety. In society, the lack of technological awareness as well as the lack of accountability in the healthcare sector acts as a key barrier for the health professionals in defining the effectiveness of EHRs in the process (Papoutsi et al., 2015). Despite the presence of the legal frameworks as well as data protection rights of individuals and the social need for the adoption of safety and privacy approaches in the implementation of EHRs, such remains to be an ethical issue which is to be considered and accordingly the strategies are to be adopted (Kruse et al., 2017).

 

The importance and effectiveness of EHRs can further be identified in promoting health equity or access across society. The study conducted by industry researchers reflects that there still has been doubting in understanding the impact of EHRs on patient satisfaction, but still, it can be defined that EHRs can have a positive impact on promoting health equity in society (Brewer et al., 2020). The adoption of EHRs helps in order to eliminate any distance or linguistics barrier which improves the accessibility of healthcare services across society. Also, the use of technology and digital advancement within the healthcare sector has helped the professionals in identifying key areas that act as a barrier in the care delivery process and accordingly has strengthened care accessibility in the care (Cheng et al., 2020).

 

Further, it can be reflected that EHRs in society contribute to improved self-care practices as well as lead to improved awareness among patients. Such helps in enhancing the approaches of care as well as accessibility among the different segments of society. However, despite such effectiveness and role of EHRs in promoting health equity, it can be reflected that there are several key ethical as well as technological barriers which are to be considered. The cost constraint of the process, the resistance arising in both the internal as well as the external healthcare environment as well as the lack of interest among the industry stakeholders act as key barriers to promoting health equity (Ajami & ArabChadegani, 2013).

 

EHRs have the role to eliminate ethical, legal, professional as well as social issues arising in the healthcare sector in Australia as well as in the global society. The increasing complexities in the healthcare sector due to the increasing health threats as well as the need for expanded reach in society act as key factors promoting the role and importance of EHRs (Kruse et al., 2018). Further in the healthcare sector, it can be reflected that the increasingly professional and individual ethical challenge to maintain and manage physical health records has resulted in an increase in the process complexity which is further to be considered. Based on such it can be reflected that adopting the approaches to EHR ensures that the process flexibility can be enhanced and further digitalization in the industry can be utilized for effective data management and decision making (Chao, 2016).

 

Further, the EHR plays a key role in enhancing the technological ability of care professionals and their approach towards providing quality and advanced care in remote working conditions. The industry researchers define that EHR in the healthcare sector acts as a base or the key approach that contributes towards technological improvement in the care practices and digitalization of the sector. Also, it ensures the adoption of a two-way communication approach in the industry, i.e., both the patient as well as the professional are engaged in the process, hence it contributes to improved process efficiency and care standards globally (Cowie et al., 2016).

 

The overall analysis reflects that EHRs are a major trend emerging in the Australian as well as the global healthcare sector. Based on the results of the analysis it can be reflected that EHR has contributed to improved digital awareness and ability of both physicians as well as patients in society. Such has further contributed to improved approaches towards self-care and reduced health complexities in societies. However, despite such advancement, the lack of stakeholder support due to the presence of privacy and data management issues has been a key factor which may have an impact on the widespread adoption and implementation of EHRs across the healthcare sector.

 

Further, it can be defined that EHRs in the healthcare sector actively contribute towards improved professional practice as well as fulfilling the care needs of the patients. It actively plays a role in enhancing care practices and improving the outcome of the healthcare being provided to the patients. The analysis reflects that still there is a need to focus on providing required education and training to the stakeholders so that the adoption of such practices in the healthcare sector can be ensured.

 

Ajami, S., & ArabChadegani, R. (2013). Barriers to implement Electronic Health Records (EHRs). Materia Socio Medica, 25(3), 213–230. https://doi.org/10.5455/msm.2013.25.213-215

 

 

Bailey, S. C., Wallia, A., Wright, S., Wismer, G. A., Infanzon, A. C., Curtis, L. M., Brokenshire, S. A., Chung, A. E., Reuland, D. S., Hahr, A. J., Hornbuckle, K., Lockwood, K., Hall, L., & Wolf, M. S. (2019). Electronic Health Record–Based Strategy to Promote Medication Adherence Among Patients With Diabetes: Longitudinal Observational Study. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 21(10), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.2196/13499

 

 

Bani Issa, W., Al Akour, I., Ibrahim, A., Almarzouqi, A., Abbas, S., Hisham, F., & Griffiths, J. (2020). Privacy, confidentiality, security and patient safety concerns about electronic health records. International Nursing Review, 67(2), 218–230. https://doi.org/10.1111/inr.12585

 

 

Brewer, L. C., Fortuna, K. L., Jones, C., Walker, R., Hayes, S. N., Patten, C. A., & Cooper, L. A. (2020). Back to the Future: Achieving Health Equity Through Health Informatics and Digital Health. JMIR MHealth and UHealth, 8(1), e14512. https://doi.org/10.2196/14512

 

 

Campanella, P., Lovato, E., Marone, C., Fallacara, L., Mancuso, A., Ricciardi, W., & Specchia, M. L. (2015). The impact of electronic health records on healthcare quality: a systematic review and meta-analysis. The European Journal of Public Health, 26(1), 60–64. https://doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/ckv122

 

 

Chao, C.-A. (2016). The impact of electronic health records on collaborative work routines: A narrative network analysis. International Journal of Medical Informatics, 94(1), 100–111. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijmedinf.2016.06.019

 

 

Cheng, C., Beauchamp, A., Elsworth, G. R., & Osborne, R. H. (2020). Applying the eHealth literacy lens: A systematic review of eHealth interventions targeted at socially disadvantaged groups (Preprint). Journal of Medical Internet Research, 1(1), 2–20. https://doi.org/10.2196/18476

 

 

Cowie, M. R., Blomster, J. I., Curtis, L. H., Duclaux, S., Ford, I., Fritz, F., Goldman, S., Janmohamed, S., Kreuzer, J., Leenay, M., Michel, A., Ong, S., Pell, J. P., Southworth, M. R.,

 

 

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Evans, R. S. (2016). Electronic Health Records: Then, Now, and in the Future. Yearbook of Medical Informatics, 25(S 01), S48–S61. https://doi.org/10.15265/iys-2016-s006

 

 

Glauner, P., Plugmann, P., & Lerzynski, G. (2021). Digitalization in healthcare : implementing innovation and artificial intelligence. Springer.

 

 

Kruse, C. S., Smith, B., Vanderlinden, H., & Nealand, A. (2017). Security Techniques for the Electronic Health Records. Journal of Medical Systems, 41(8), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10916-017-0778-4

 

 

Kruse, C. S., Stein, A., Thomas, H., & Kaur, H. (2018). The use of Electronic Health Records to Support Population Health: A Systematic Review of the Literature. Journal of Medical Systems, 42(11). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10916-018-1075-6

 

 

Lancaster, K., Abuzour, A., Khaira, M., Mathers, A., Chan, A., Bui, V., Lok, A., Thabane, L., & Dolovich, L. (2018). The Use and Effects of Electronic Health Tools for Patient Self-Monitoring and Reporting of Outcomes Following Medication Use: Systematic Review. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 20(12), 294–310. https://doi.org/10.2196/jmir.9284

 

 

Manca, D. P. (2015). Do electronic medical records improve quality of care? Yes. Canadian Family Physician Medecin de Famille Canadien, 61(10), 846–847, 850–851. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4607324/

 

 

McGreevey, J. D., Mallozzi, C. P., Perkins, R. M., Shelov, E., & Schreiber, R. (2020). Reducing Alert Burden in Electronic Health Records: State of the Art Recommendations from Four Health Systems. Applied Clinical Informatics, 11(01), 001-012. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0039-3402715

 

 

Mullins, A., O’Donnell, R., Mousa, M., Rankin, D., Ben-Meir, M., Boyd-Skinner, C., & Skouteris, H. (2020). Health Outcomes and Healthcare Efficiencies Associated with the Use of Electronic Health Records in Hospital Emergency Departments: a Systematic Review. Journal of Medical Systems, 44(12), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10916-020-01660-0

 

 

Papoutsi, C., Reed, J. E., Marston, C., Lewis, R., Majeed, A., & Bell, D. (2015). Patient and public views about the security and privacy of Electronic Health Records (EHRs) in the UK: results from a mixed methods study. BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making, 15(1), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12911-015-0202-2

 

 

Toll, E. T., Alkureishi, M. A., Lee, W. W., Babbott, S. F., Bain, P. A., Beasley, J. W., Frankel, R. M., Loveys, A. A., Wald, H. S., Woods, S. S., & Hersh, W. R. (2019). Protecting healing relationships in the age of electronic health records: report from an international conference. JAMIA Open, 2(3), 282–290. https://doi.org/10.1093/jamiaopen/ooz012